DLLR News

Maryland Adds 10,500 Jobs in February

Maryland has now recovered over 94 percent of the jobs lost during the recession

BALTIMORE, MD (March 29, 2013) - The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released
state jobs and unemployment data earlier today. According to the preliminary survey data, Maryland created
10,500 total jobs in February, marking the 33rd consecutive month that monthly job totals have exceeded
year-ago numbers. The private sector created 6,000 jobs, nearly six out of every 10 new jobs. Over-the-year,
Maryland added 38,200 total jobs, with Maryland businesses contributing nearly 95 percent of those jobs.
Maryland has now recovered more than 94 percent of the jobs lost in the recession.

With BLS revision, Maryland's January numbers jumped by 800 to show our December-to-January gain
was 7,500 jobs.

According to the BLS, Maryland's unemployment rate dropped to 6.6 percent in February. Maryland's
January unemployment rate remained unchanged with revision at 6.7 percent.

"As Maryland's jobs numbers rise, it's clear our investments in workforce training are continuing
to pay off," said Maryland Labor Secretary Leonard Howie. "We know that our economic prosperity is
directly tied to the education and skill level of the State's workforce. Through the Employment
Advancement Right Now or EARN initiative, we're forging new collaborations between business, education,
the non-profit community and state and local government to bridge the skills-gap and improve student
achievement and career readiness in Maryland."

In the private sector, seven major business categories reported higher job totals in February.
The Professional/Business Services sector turned in the strongest performance, adding 1,900 jobs.
Industry activity was buoyed by continued hiring in businesses engaged in computer systems design
and firms providing accounting services. The Financial Activities sector added 1,000 jobs, with gains
reported in lending institutions and among insurance carriers.

The Natural Resources/Mining/Construction sector, an industry which generally either loses jobs or
remains flat during February, gained 700 jobs. Since November, the industry has added 4,900 jobs,
countering historical trends which show an average loss of 900 jobs over this three month span.
The Education/Health Care/Social Assistance sector added 900 jobs.

Secretary Howie will brief the media on the February 2013 jobs report during a conference call at noon today.
Call-in number: 1-(877) 274-9107.

The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation protects and
empowers Marylanders by safeguarding workers, protecting
consumers, providing a safety net and cultivating a thriving
workforce that can meet the demands of Maryland’s dynamic
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